‘Nice one!’ said Emma. ‘Can I have a go?’

‘Really?’ said Stefan. ‘Can you play tennis?’

‘Yeah,’ said Emma, picking up Stefan’s racquet.

‘I play all the time. My mum’s been teaching me. But I really want to play a Grand Slam Beast.’

‘You do?’ said Stefan. ‘Are you ready to take on the meanest beast of them all – the Rally Robot? In the US Open Final?’

Emma grinned. ‘Oh, yeah,’ she said, bouncing the ball ready to serve.

It was almost dark and the shadow on the wall had doubled in size.

‘Let’s do it,’ Emma said.

The Rally Robot was a super tennis player. It could do everything! It had a mean serve, an amazing backhand and a sizzling forehand.

It was awesome at rallies.

Emma served.

The Rally Robot hit a powerful return.

Emma ran for the ball and hit it back, right into the middle of the wall.

The Rally Robot made the shot, but so did Emma.

‘Wow,’ said Stefan. ‘You’re really good!’

The ball went back and forth. It looked like Emma and the Robot were evenly matched. But then the Rally Robot tapped a shot just over the net.

Emma ran in but she couldn’t get to the ball in time.

‘Oh no!’ said Stefan.

One point to the Robot!